Neighborhood Briefs

The public is invited to attend an open house on a new master plan to guide the future of the Leach Botanical Garden, the nearly 16-acre horticultural center owned and operated by Portland Parks and Recreation, with extensive volunteer help.

The event will be held in the garden's Manor House from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Leach Botanical Garden is located at 6704 S.E. 122nd Ave. in a woodland hollow carved by Johnson Creek. It was purchased in 1931 by pharmacist John Leach and wife Lilla, an accomplished botanist.

Their fascination with plants resulted in a garden of exotic and native plants. The city acquired 5.5 acres of the property in 1973, and the rest was purchased with Metro greenspace funds in 1999.

The master plan is meant to address such issues as the growing shade from the expanding tree canopy and the balance between more plantings and maintaining natural areas.

A panel of botanical garden managers will discuss these issues at 10 a.m.

NORTH

Pole conflict settles

Rather than pay $1 million to move the 75-foot power pole at the corner of North Willamette Boulevard and Killingsworth Street, Overlook residents have decided to accept a settlement from the city's Bureau of Environmental Services and Portland General Electric.

Overlook Neighborhood Association co-Chairwoman Jennifer Callison said negotiations still are under way, so she can't say how much the neighborhood will receive or how they'll be able to spend the settlement money.

She'd like to urge residents to begin thinking about the community improvement projects they'd like to fund.

Residents had charged that the pole was a visual nuisance, installed without neighborhood notification and without proper permits to remove some of the trees.

PGE installed the pole in late 2005 as part of a system to supply backup power to the Swan Island Pump Station for the city's Big Pipe project.

NORTHEAST

Somalis get helping hand

Leaders with the Cully Neighborhood Association and Central Northeast Neighbors Inc. have formed a committee to determine ways to help Somali community members who've immigrated to Portland and the neighborhood in recent years.

At a meeting in late January, neighborhood leaders and members talked about the resources available to the Somalis in their community, and building bridges between groups.

For information, call Sandra Lefrancois, community program director for Central Northeast Neighbors, 503-823-2780.

A similar effort is under way in Southwest Portland.

NORTHWEST

Garage fight isn't over

Nob Hill area residents waiting to hear whether the final curtain has fallen on the proposed parking garage behind Papa Haydn will have to wait a little longer.

Two weeks ago the Portland City Council voted to uphold an appeal by the Northwest District Association, effectively stopping plans for the 103-stall garage on Northwest Irving Street.

Developer Richard Singer can appeal the City Council decision to the state Land Use Board of Appeals or submit a new design for the garage. But Singer, contacted this week, said he hasn't yet decided on a course of action.

'All I can say is it's not over,' Singer said.

SOUTHWEST

Food drive continues

Churches, synagogues and community organizations have come together in Southwest Portland to collect 50,000 pounds of food or the cash equivalent to feed hungry people in the area for four months.

The effort, called SW Hope: Feed the Hungry campaign, runs through the end of the month. Food and donations go to the Emergency Food Box Program run by Neighborhood House, a social service agency based in Multnomah Village, which feeds between 250 and 280 families a month.

Donation can be made during neighborhood canvasses, or by mailing checks to Neighborhood House, 7780 S.W Capitol Highway, Portland, OR 97219.

Checks and food donations also can be delivered there after 9 a.m. weekdays. For information, call the agency, 503-246-1663.

SOUTHEAST

Remodeling tips offered

The Eastmoreland Neighborhood Association is presenting its first Remodeling Faire on Thursday at Duniway Elementary School.

The free event will feature a number of general contractors and interior and landscape designers to offer advice on remodeling ideas and plans.

It will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Duniway, 7700 S.E. Reed College Place.